Hair regrowth method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Hair regrowth is promoted by positioning one or more electrodes closely proximate a subject&#39;s scalp. A low voltage positive or negative polarity signal having a selected frequency of either 7.86 or 15.72 hertz is applied to the electrode(s) for about twelve minutes. The subject undergoes a hair regrowth treatment cycle spanning a period of about thirty-two weeks during which one or two of the treatments aforesaid are applied per week.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/604,744 filed on Oct.26, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,623.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application pertains to a method and apparatus for promoting hairregrowth in humans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals are troubled by premature baldness, receding hairlines,or other conditions in which hair is lost from the head. Over the years,a variety of chemicals have been marketed as hair regrowth aids but withmixed, generally disappointing results. Many individuals have investedconsiderable sums in artificial hair pieces. Some individuals have evenundergone surgical hair implantation procedures requiring the exerciseof highly skilled medical expertise which is generally unavailable to awide cross-section of potential beneficiaries. It will thus beappreciated that there is a need for a reasonably inexpensive hairregrowth process capable of being administered by relatively unskilledpersonnel and capable of promoting hair regrowth in the widest possiblepopulation cross-section.

The prior art discloses that a variety of electrical stimulii have beenemployed in an effort to promote hair growth. For example, U.S. Pat. No.861,349 issued July 30, 1907 for an invention of R. E. Beaubien entitled"Apparatus for Treating the Scalp" discloses an "apparatus for promotingthe growth of hair upon the human head". The apparatus appears to relyupon a combination of pneumatic, vacuum and electrical effects, incombination with the application of medicated lotions and massage to thescalp. According to Beaubien, any desirable form of electrical batteryor current may be used. The present applicant however believes that thisis not the case and that in order to satisfactorily promote hairregrowth, specific electrical signals must be employed.

U.S. Pat. No. 735,581 issued August 4, 1903 for an invention ofPollacsek, et al. entitled "Therapeutical Apparatus" discloses a device"by means of which vibrations of diseased parts of the body can beproduced". Pollacsek, et al. indicate that the device may be shaped as acap to be placed on the head and that the cap may be introduced into amagnetic field produced by an electric current passing through thewindings of an iron core. However, there is no indication of thespecific nature of the electric or magnetic signals or fields employed,nor is there any suggestion that Pollacsek, et al. considered applyingtheir device to promote hair regrowth.

U.S. Pat. No. 740,385 issued October 6, 1903 for an invention of W. B.Bassell entitled "Electrotherapeutic Appliance" provides another device"adapted to subject the wearer to the action of a current of electricityfor curative purposes". Bassell explains that his invention is to beutilized for the relief and cure of nervousness, insomnia, headache, andother kindred troubles. He suggests that this may be accomplished bysubjecting the head of the wearer to the action of a comparatively mildcurrent of electricity provided by a small battery. Again however thereis no suggestion that Bassell considered the use of his device topromote hair regrowth, nor are any specific electrical signalsdiscussed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,859 issued March 25, 1975 for an invention ofPitzen, et al. entitled "Method and Device for Stimulating the OrgansAssociated with the Human Scalp" examines the problem of promoting hairgrowth in some detail. Pitzen, et al. provide a method and apparatus inwhich a plurality of wave form generators output signals havingfrequencies varying from 230 hertz through 2650 hertz. The waveformgenerators are also pulsed at repetition rates varying from 3 times persecond to 26 times per second. The signals so produced are applied tohand-held massaging electrodes which are in turn applied to thesubject's scalp.

Published French patent application No. 2,484,262 of Paul MauriceViallis provides another electrical apparatus and method for treatingthe human scalp to combat seborrhoea, hair loss, dandruff, etc. Aconductive electrode cap is fitted over the scalp and a secondaryelectrode is placed in contact with another area of the body. A currentof the order of 8-15 mA is applied for a period of 5 to 30 minutesdepending upon the type of complaint and type of treatment prescribed.The object of Viallis' invention is apparently to ionize the scalp areaso that ointments or other applied treatment compositions may penetratethe scalp with greater effectiveness.

Published West German patent application No. 3,618,933 discloses aninvention of Masaki, et al. pertaining to an electrotherapeutic devicefor promoting eyebrow hair growth. The apparatus is shaped to fit on apatient's head. Electrodes are applied to the eyebrows. A pulse-likecurrent preferably having a square or trapezoid waveform is applied tothe electrodes, with a biphasic action, potential-like oscillationhaving a frequency in the 1/500 to 1/200 second range and pulsed at afrequency of 0.5 to 2 seconds is preferably applied to the electrodes.

Two published British patent application Nos. 2,160,426A and 2,160,427Aof Masaki appear to correspond to the West German application aforesaid,although the British applications do not appear to restrict themselvesto eyebrow hair growth.

Although not wishing to be bound by any theory, the inventors believethat dormant body hair cells (i.e. hair cells from which hair is notactively growing) may be electrically stimulated to promote active hairgrowth from such cells. More particularly, the inventors believe thathair regrowth can be promoted if the body's hair cells are stimulated bysubjecting them to a low voltage pulse train having a frequency of about7.86 hertz or 15.72 hertz. The higher frequency is consideredappropriate for subjects who exhibit normal or hyperactive energylevels. The lower frequency is considered appropriate for individualswho exhibit hypoactive or slow metabolism energy levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the invention provides ahair regrowth process in which one or more electrodes are positionedclosely proximate the subject's scalp. A low voltage electrical signalhaving a frequency of about 7.86 hertz or about 15.72 hertz iscontinuously applied to the electrodes for about twelve minutes. Thepolarity of the signal may be either positive or negative. A completehair regrowth treatment cycle typically spans about thirty-two weeks,during which time the subject undergoes a sequence of twelve minutetreatments as aforesaid. Throughout the treatment cycle the subjectundergoes one or two twelve minute treatments per week, during which thetreatment frequency, signal polarity and voltage level are preferablyvaried according to the following schedule:

    ______________________________________                                                  Number of             Voltage                                                 Treatments   Polarity Level                                         ______________________________________                                        1st week  2            Positive 260 v.                                        2nd week  2            Positive 260 v.                                        3rd week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        4th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        5th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        6th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        7th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        8th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        9th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        10th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        11th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        12th Week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        13th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        14th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        15th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        16th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        17th week 2            Positive 130 v.                                        18th week 2            Positive 260 v.                                        19th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        20th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        21st week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        22nd week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        23rd week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        24th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        25th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        26th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        27th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        28th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        29th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        30th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        31st week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        32nd week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        ______________________________________                                    

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the invention provides ahair regrowth apparatus comprising at least one electrode adapted to bepositioned closely proximate the subject's scalp, voltage pulsegenerator means electrically coupled to the electrode(s) for applicationthereto of a low voltage pulse train, and, frequency selector meanselectrically coupled to the voltage pulse generator means, for varyingthe frequency of the pulse train. Preferably, the apparatus alsoincludes signal polarity selector means electrically coupled between thevoltage pulse generator means and the electrode(s), for varying thepolarity of the pulse train. The electrodes are advantageously mountedwithin a hood positionable over the subject's head.

The voltage pulse generator means is preferably an astablemultivibrator. The signal polarity selector means may comprise a voltagetransformer, first rectifier means for blocking negative-going portionsof the pulse train, second rectifier means for blocking positive-goingportions of the pulse train, and, switch means for selectably couplingthe first or second rectifier means between the transformer output andthe electrode(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hair regrowth apparatus constructed inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an electronic circuit schematic diagram of a hair regrowthapparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 depicts a single electrode embodiment for the hood of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1 the interior of a conventional commercial hair dryerhood 10 is fitted with a plurality of copper electrodes so that, whenthe hood is positioned over a subject's head, the electrodes arepositioned closely proximate to, but not touching the subject's scalp.The apparatus is turned on and off with the aid of a mechanical,electrical or electronic timer 12 operatively connected to power supply14 which may be a conventional 110 volt A.C. to 12 volt D.C.transformer. The 12 volt D.C. signal output by power supply 14 isregulated down to 8 volts D.C. by voltage regulator 16 and the resultant8 volt D.C. signal is then used to power the remaining electroniccomponents.

A "voltage pulse generator means"; namely, astable multivibrator 18, iselectrically coupled to the electrodes within hood 10. Astablemultivibrator 18 applies a low voltage pulse train of a selectedfrequency to the electrodes within hood 10. Frequency selector means 20is electrically coupled to astable multivibrator 18 to vary thefrequency of the pulse train between low frequencies of either 7.86hertz or 15.72 hertz. Lamp driver 30 provides a visual indication, vialamp display 32, of the selected frequency (i.e. lamp display 32 isswitched on and off at the selected frequency).

The low voltage, low frequency pulse train output by astablemultivibrator 18 is amplified by current amplifier 22 and then presentedto pulse transformer 24. A "signal polarity selector means"; namely,rectifier/filter 26, is electrically coupled between astablemultivibrator 18 and the electrodes within hood 10, to vary the polarityof the signals output by pulse transformer 24, according to the positionmanually selected via polarity switch 28.

A "voltage selector means"; namely, switch 34 is provided to vary thevoltage of the pulse train applied to the electrodes within hood 10.

The apparatus of the preferred embodiment will now be described ingreater detail with reference to the electronic circuit schematicdiagram of FIG. 2. Power supply 14 comprises a conventional 110 voltA.C. to 12 volt, 200 milliampere D.C. "wall adaptor" voltagetransformer. The 12 volt D.C. signal output by power supply 14 iselectrically coupled to voltage regulator 16 which, in the preferredembodiment, is an LM7808 integrated circuit 8 volt regulator withinternal current limiting, thermal shutdown capability and safe areacompensation for the internal pass transistor. Capacitors C4 and C5respectively provide low frequency filtering for the input and output ofregulator 16, which produces an 8 volt D.C. output signal used to powerthe remaining electronic components.

Astable multivibrator 18 is a NE555 integrated circuit pulse generator.The trigger input (pin 2) of astable multivibrator 18 is connected tothe threshold input (pin 6) in order to continuously retrigger thecircuit for astable operation thereof. Resistors R1, R2 and R5, togetherwith potentiometers R3 and R4 and timing capacitors C1 and C2 controlthe frequency of the pulse train output by astable multivibrator 18. Theoutput frequency is selected by manual positioning of switch SW1(reference No. 20 in FIG. 1) which is a single pole, double throwswitch. When switch SW1 is in the "F1" position, astable multivibrator18 produces a low voltage, pulse train at a first frequency. When switchSW1 is in the "F2" position astable multivibrator 18 produces a lowvoltage, pulse train at a second frequency. More particularly, whenswitch SW1 is in the "F1" position, the steady state frequency of thevoltage pulse train output by astable multivibrator 18 is determined by:##EQU1## Similarly, when frequency selector switch SW1 is in the "F2"position, the steady state frequency of the voltage pulse train outputby astable multivibrator 18 is determined by: ##EQU2## The frequencyselected is visually indicated by flashing light emitting diode D1,which is driven through current limiting resistor R7 and invertingamplifier transistor Q3. Resistor R8 provides current limiting for lightemitting diode D1.

Capacitor C1 is used to bypass pin 5 of the astable multivibrator 18 toground, preventing noise from altering the width of the pulses output byastable multivibrator 18. Capacitor C3 is a bypass capacitor whicheliminates high frequency noise on the power line.

The low voltage, low frequency pulse train output by astablemultivibrator 18 passes to a current amplifier comprising transistors Q1and Q2, which are configured to operate in a class B switching mode toprovide the higher peak currents passed through switching transformerT1. More particularly, when transformer T1 is switched on, a pulse ofabout 300 volts appears in the transformer primary winding. Because thetransformer provides D.C. isolation, the higher voltage end of thetransformer can safely be used to produce a positive or negative goingpulse through the polarity selector means comprising transformer T1together with a first rectifier means (i.e. diode D2), a secondrectifier means (i.e. diode D3) and polarity switch SW2 (reference No.28 in FIG. 1). When switch SW2 is in the "positive" polarity position,diode D2 in combination with filter capacitor C6 and discharge resistorR9 shape the pulses output by switching transformer T1, while blockingnegative going portions of the pulse train. Similarly, when polarityselector switch SW2 is in the "negative" polarity position, diode D3blocks positive-going portions of the pulse train. The voltage outputacross resistor R9 is coupled to the electrodes within hood 10. In caseof a two electrode embodiment, the output is coupled to a pair ofelectrodes 29 and 29a (FIG. 3) within the hood 10. Limit resistor R10and voltage selector switch SW3 (reference No. 34 in FIG. 1) enable theoperator to select between one of two operating voltages (130 voltspeak-to-peak; or, 260 volts peak-to-peak in the preferred embodiment.

The output frequency is selected by manual positioning of switch 20which is a single pole, double throw switch. When switch SW1 is in thelow frequency position, astable multivibrator 18 produces a low voltagepulse train of 7.86 hertz. When switch 20 is in the high frequencyposition, astable multivibrator 18 produces a low voltage 15.72 hertzpulse train.

In operation, the subject's head is positioned within hood 10, so thatthe hood electrodes lie closely proximate to, but do not touch thesubject's scalp. Power is applied to the circuit and switches 20, 28manually positioned to select a desired signal output frequency andpolarity. Signals of the selected frequency and polarity are applied tothe electrodes for about 12 minutes, following which the power isdisconnected and the hood removed from the subject's head. Repetitivetreatments over many weeks will be required, depending upon theindividual characteristics of the particular subject.

An entire hair regrowth treatment cycle will typically span about 32weeks, during which time the subject undergoes one or two 12 minutetreatments as aforesaid per week. The following table provides theweekly treatment frequency, the signal output polarity and the voltagelevel preferably employed during each week of the 32 week treatmentcycle:

    ______________________________________                                                  Number of             Voltage                                                 Treatments   Polarity Level                                         ______________________________________                                        1st week  2            Positive 260 v.                                        2nd week  2            Positive 260 v.                                        3rd week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        4th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        5th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        6th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        7th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        8th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        9th week  1            Negative 260 v.                                        10th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        11th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        12th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        13th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        14th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        15th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        16th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        17th week 2            Positive 130 v.                                        18th week 2            Positive 260 v.                                        19th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        20th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        21st week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        22nd week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        23rd week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        24th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        25th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        26th Week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        27th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        28th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        29th week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        30th week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        31st week 1            Negative 130 v.                                        32nd week 1            Negative 260 v.                                        ______________________________________                                    

Some subjects may respond more favorably to alternative signalpolarities than those set forth above. Accordingly, based uponprofessional review, the treatment regimen may be varied by, forexample, replacing two of the negative polarity treatments with twopositive polarity treatments and then returning to negative polaritytreatments as prescribed for the balance of the treatment cycle.

The following table provides electronic part specifications for thecircuit components depicted in FIG. 2 and described herein.

    ______________________________________                                        Reference        Description                                                  ______________________________________                                        R1-R5: C1-C2     select                                                       R6               22 ohms                                                      R7               8.2K ohms                                                    R8               100 ohms                                                     R9, R10          560K ohms                                                    C3               .1 microfarads                                               C4               22 microfarads                                               C5               1,000 microfarads                                            C6               .0018 microfarads                                            D1               LED                                                          D2, D3           1N4005                                                       Q1               2N2222                                                       Q2               2N2906                                                       Q3               2N3906                                                       T1               42HL015                                                      U1               LM7808                                                       U2               NE555                                                        SW1, SW3         single pole double throw                                     SW2              polarity switch                                              ______________________________________                                    

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of theforegoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible inthe practice of this invention without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to beconstrued in accordance with the substance defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:
 1. Hair regrowth apparatus comprising:at least two electrodes;positioning means for positioning the at least two electrodes closelyproximate to, but not touching, a subject's scalp; voltage pulsegenerator means electrically coupled to said at least two electrodes forapplication thereto of a low voltage, low frequency pulse train signal;and, frequency selector means electrically coupled to said voltage pulsegenerator means, for varying said frequency.
 2. Hair regrowth apparatusas defined in claim 1, further comprising polarity switching meanselectrically coupled between said voltage pulse generator means and saidat least two electrodes, for switching said signal polarity, andpolarity selector means electrically coupled to said switching means forselectively varying said signal's polarity.
 3. Hair regrowth apparatusas defined in claim 2, wherein said signal polarity selector meanscomprises:(a) a voltage transformer; (b) first rectifier means forblocking negative-going portions of said pulse train; (c) secondrectifier means for blocking positive-going portions of said pulsetrain; and, (d) switch means for selectably coupling said first orsecond rectifier means between said transformer output and said at leasttwo electrodes.
 4. Hair regrowth apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein said voltage pulse generator means comprises an astablemultivibrator.
 5. Hair regrowth apparatus as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising voltage selector means electrically coupled between saidvoltage pulse generator means and said at least two electrodes, forvarying the voltage of said pulse train.
 6. Hair regrowth apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein the positioning means comprises a hoodpositionable over said subject's head, and wherein said at least twoelectrodes is mounted within said hood.